Here’s one of the best-kept secrets to getting that pure and flavorful vapor each and every time: keep your pen vaporizer clean and well maintained. In fact, the quality of vapor you get does not always depend on the type of vaping material you use.

But if spending more time to clean your device might be too much for you, don’t worry, as pen-style vapes are always the easiest to handle because of their small and lightweight design.

Why Cleaning and Maintenance Still Matters

We may not need to state the obvious, but highlighting the importance of cleaning your favorite vape pen will constantly remind you that you’re not just using the device for your own pleasure. As what American comedienne Whoopi Goldberg says about her favorite pen: “…her name is Sippy. Yes, she’s a she. And yes, I named her Sippy because I take tiny, little sips — sassy sips, even — from her.” In other words owning a pen is like having a flourishing relationship with it. If it gives you the highs, the joys, and that euphoric feeling every time you use it, then in return, take care of it, so it’ll stay with you for a very long time.

Then come the issues of health and safety. That sticky residue that eventually builds up inside the herb chamber or cartridge must be removed to clear the pathway and at the same time, make sure that the vapor you inhale stays clean, pure and healthy. Also, a clogged heating element could compromise your device’s performance and might also render the vaporizer unsafe for vaping.

Also, don’t forget the warranty, of course. Taking extra care of each part of the pen will make sure that any defect or malfunction you experience will be covered by the terms and conditions of the warranty.

Here are some of the best practices we’ve gathered when it comes to keeping your pen vaporizer optimally functioning and looking shiny and new.

Before Cleaning: Get to Know Your Vape Pen

Different vape pens call for different ways to clean them. Does your device purely vaporize herbs, or oil and wax perhaps? So, each function requires a different design, and therefore, different ways to clean. Also, knowing the parts of your vaporizer pen helps you to disassemble it before cleaning it. A typical vape pen, Atmos Raw being one good example, comes in three parts: the battery, ceramic heating chamber, and mouthpiece. Without the oil attachment, you can use the Atmos Raw with any kind of ground herbs you like. Let’s take a closer look at the parts of your vaporizer pen and get to know how to take care of each component.

#1: Proper Care for Each Component

Although you use your vape pen as one device, cleaning it means disassembling the parts to make sure more surface area is cleaned in the process, removing unwanted dirt and residue that might affect the performance of your vaporizer. Here are the main parts of a typical vape pen, and some tips on taking good care of each component.

#2: The Battery

When unboxing your device for initial use, make sure you avoid draining the battery power completely before even initially charging it. And at least once a week, inspect the head of the battery just in case small particles or thin films of leaked concentrates touch the head.

#3: Oil Cartridge or Herb Chamber

Most herbal vaporizer pens use a heating coil inside the herb chamber to vaporize your dry, ground materials. Because this is the most sensitive part of the chamber, avoid poking it with sharp metallic objects to avoid damaging the coil. You may use a cotton swab or the cleaning tool that comes with the kit (if available) to reach out for clogged particles inside the chamber. You use rubbing alcohol to wipe the outer part of the chamber or cartridge, but we don’t recommend using it to clean the inside part.

The same care and maintenance are applicable for oil cartridges, only that you can’t use any liquid such as water or alcohol to shake the interior of the tank as they will be tough to remove later on.

If you use a vaporizer with a clear tank for concentrates, keep your cartridge (or the entire device) away from direct sunlight to keep the material inside the tank fresh and potent.

#4: Mouthpiece

This part may be the easiest to clean, but it also attracts most of the residues next to the heating chamber or cartridge because it serves as the vapor pathway. Simply use a soft cotton cloth or cotton swab to wipe any dirt.

For deeper cleaning, you may also use rubbing alcohol (but check the manual first) or soak your mouthpiece in isopropyl alcohol for about 20-30 minutes, followed by rinsing it with hot water.

#5: Cleaning A Dry Herb Pen Vaporizer

Although vaporizing ground herbs can be quite a bit messy, cleaning the pen vaporizer after use is the easiest to do. There’s less sticky residue that is otherwise very much common with concentrate vaporizers.

To clean the device after use:

#1: unscrew the heating chamber and empty it out by tapping the contents out gently into a trash bin.

#2: With the use of a cleaning brush (which usually comes with the product when you buy one), remove dry particles from the chamber and the screen. Of course, never use water to clean these parts as the device comes with compact wirings inside.

#3: Wipe the outside part with a cotton cloth and also clean the mouthpiece with running water.

#4: Once done, screw the chamber connector to the heating chamber.

#5: After screwing the pieces back together, press the same micro button five to six times in quick succession to turn the device on.

In all, cleaning the dry herb vape pen is indeed simple and easy.

#6: Cleaning Wax Or Oil Pen Vaporizers

Wax and oil pen vapes are the hardest to clean because of the rather sticky residues. But once you get the process right, it all becomes easy when you do it regularly.

Now, the design varies per brand and model, but these types of vapes share similar parts that also share the same functions.

To clean the wax or oil vape:

#1: Open the chamber and separate the mouthpiece as well.

#2: Then using a Q-tip, dab tool (if it comes with the vaporizer), or a cotton bud dipped in isopropyl alcohol, rub the rim and the inner lining of the chamber and the mouthpiece. You’ll notice the dark residue sticking to the Q-tip or cotton bud.

#3: Repeat the same process until no residue is visible as you clean. Make sure not to put too much pressure on the heating coil as this is the most sensitive part of the vape. Once you damage it, the entire pen vaporizer becomes useless.

#4: Once done, screw the chamber connector to the heating chamber.

#5: After screwing the pieces back together, press the same micro button five to six times in quick succession to turn the device on.

#6: You are now ready to use your clean vape again!

Bonus: Cleaning Tips

To make the cleaning process quick and easy, make sure the vape is warm as higher temps help loosen the residue easily from the vaporizer. Then again, avoid using water or drops of rubbing alcohol as an excess liquid may seep into the circuitry of the vaporizer. The mouthpiece, however, can be cleaned using running water or a generous swab of cotton with rubbing alcohol.

For users of Atmos Raw with oil attachment, separate the oil attachment first from the heating chamber and clean the outer part with soft, damp cloth. The using a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, remove any visible residues from both ends of the attachment.

Do you have cleaning tips and tricks that you find more interesting? Feel free to comment below.